2. *
*Epilepsy is a disorder of the brain. People are diagnosed with
epilepsy when they have had two or more seizures.
*A seizure is a burst of uncontrolled electrical activity between
neurons that causes temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or
movements (stiffness, twitching or limpness), behaviors, sensations
or states of awareness.
Sometimes it is hard to tell when a person is having a seizure. A person
having a seizure may seem confused or look like they are staring at
something that isn’t there. Other seizures can cause a person to fall,
shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.
3. *
2 basic categories: Primary generalized seizures and Partial/ Focal
seizures. The difference between these types is in how they begin.
*Primary generalized seizures begin with a widespread electrical discharge
involving both sides of the brain at once. Partial seizures begin with an
electrical discharge in one limited area of the brain.
*Hereditary factors are important in partial generalized epilepsy.
*Some partial seizures are related to head injury, brain infection, stroke or
tumor but, in most cases, the cause is unknown.
These 2 are further classified into-
1. Absence 1. Simple
2. Tonic 2. Complex
3. Atonic
4. Clonic
5. Myoclonic
6. Tonic- clonic
Primary
Generalized
Seizure
Focal
Seizure
4.
5. *
1. ABSENCE SEIZURE
Previously known as petit mal seizures or Childhood absence
epilepsy, typically occur in children. They're characterized by staring
into space with or without subtle body movements such as eye
blinking or lip smacking and only last between 5-10 seconds. These
seizures may occur in clusters, happening as often as 100 times per
day, and cause a brief loss of awareness.
Children usually outgrow these. Juvenile absence epilepsy starts
slightly later and can persist into adulthood; people with these kinds
of seizures may develop tonic-clonic seizures in addition to absence of
seizures in adulthood.
2. TONIC SEIZURE
Cause stiff muscles and may affect consciousness, usually affect
muscles in your back, arms and legs and may cause you to fall to the
ground.
6. 3. ATONIC SEIZURE
Also known as drop seizures, cause a loss of muscle control. Since this
most often affects the legs, it often causes you to suddenly collapse or
fall down.
Some people with multiple brain injuries and intellectual disability, have tonic
seizures consisting of sudden stiffness in the arms and body, which can cause
injuries. Many persons with tonic seizures have a syndrome called Lennox
Gastaut syndrome. This condition may involve intellectual disability, multiple
seizure types including tonic seizures can have a distinctive EEG pattern
called slow spike and wave.
Persons with diffuse brain disorders also may have atonic seizures,
characterized by a sudden loss of body tone that results in collapsing. A
sequence of a brief tonic episode followed by an atonic seizure is called a
tonic-atonic seizure. These are often managed with specific medications and
sometimes with nerve stimulation and diet therapies.
7. 4. CLONIC SEIZURE
Associated with repeated or rhythmic, jerking muscle movements.
These seizures usually affect the neck, face and arms.
5. MYOCLONIC SEIZURE
Usually appear as sudden brief jerks or twitches and usually affect the
upper body, arms and legs.
6. TONIC CLONIC SEIZURE
Previously known as Grand Mal Seizures, are the most dramatic type
of epileptic seizure. They can cause an abrupt loss of consciousness
and body stiffening, twitching and shaking. They sometimes cause loss
of bladder control or biting your tongue.
Can make a person-
Cry out.
Lose consciousness.
Fall to the ground.
Have muscle jerks or spasms.
The person may feel tired after a tonic-clonic seizure.
11. *
1. SIMPLE/WITHOUT LOSS OF CONCIOUSNESS
Affects a small part of the brain. These seizures can cause twitching
or a change in sensation, such as a strange taste or smell.
Some people experience deja vu. This type of seizure may also result
in involuntary jerking of one body part, such as an arm or leg, and
spontaneous sensory symptoms such as tingling, dizziness and flashing
lights.
2. COMPLEX/ IMPAIRED CONCIOUSNESS
Can make a person confused or dazed. The person will be unable to
respond to questions or direction for up to a few minutes.
This type of seizure may seem like being in a dream. During a focal
seizure with impaired awareness, you may stare into space and not
respond normally to your environment or perform repetitive
movements, such as hand rubbing, chewing, swallowing or walking in
circles.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16. *
Epilepsy diagnosis based on symptoms, physical signs and the results
of such tests as an electroencephalogram (EEG), computed
tomography (CT or CAT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
MAJOR DRUGS INVOVLED ARE-
*sodium valproate.
*carbamazepine.
*lamotrigine.
*levetiracetam.
*topiramate.
17. • Special diets can also help control seizures. The most common diets
are the ketogenic diet, modified Atkins diet, low glycemic diet, and
medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) diet.
• Complementary health approaches are different from the medicines
or surgery usually prescribed by doctors and other mainstream
health professionals. These include natural herbs such as medical
cannabis or mind and body practices like yoga.
• If you have persistent uncontrolled seizures, it might be time to
consider epilepsy surgery. Advances in science and technology have
led to new epilepsy surgery options.
• While medicines and surgery may be effective for some, others
might find these treatment options unavailable or ineffective.
Seizure devices send small electric currents to the nervous system,
and they change how brain cells act and help them go back to their
normal state.
